Innovation itself constantly produces scarcity
Oy. It's going to be a long night. It's 12:30, and this is what I have so far:
Question #2 - "Pro or Con: All politics are identity politics. To distinguish between identity politics and class politics is to rely on a bogus and outdated distinction."
There are deep and essential differences between class politics and identity politics, and these differences are still potent and relevant in our political era. Class is based on a set of fundamental, objective economic interests that define the individual in relation to other individuals. Identity is based on a single objective interest of group belonging, which is then acted out in a multitude of historically determined ways that define the individual in relation to the collective.
Both class and group identity can be analyzed as political forces in terms of the variable and the invariable, to borrow language from Régis Debray. Those things which are invariable can be put aside in any discussion as assumed constants. In philosophy it may be worthwhile to discuss the merits and the moral value of human nature, even if it is unchangeable. In politics it is not. There is no room in political science for declaring all of humanity to be essentially depraved and worthless; even if it is, we must concern ourselves with how depraved and worthless human beings interact with one another. It is crucial, however, to determine what is variable and what is invariable so that we can put the latter aside. Therefore, I will begin by attempting to separate that in class and identity which is human nature from that which is historically determined.
That's ALL I have so far, folks. Also, my Lit paper is "finished." And by finished, I mean it's now technically long enough. It still needs major editing and a conclusion. However, this poli sci final is worth 50% of my grade, and the paper is worth some indeterminate-but-less-than-50 percent of my grade, so I figured I'd better get going on the final.